Veracruz
Location:
East Coast of México
Regions:
la Huasteca, la Totonaca, la
Centro-Norte, la Central,
la de las Grandes Montañas, la de Sotavento, la de las Selvas.
Dance Genres:
Sones, Danzas, Huapangos.
The Son Jarocho is one of a kind in that
it can only be found in the Sotavento region of Veracruz. The term
“Jarocho” derives from the word, “Jara”, which is a long pole that was
used by mulatto men as a weapon. Because of this, the Spanish began to
refer to the Mulattos as Jarochos. The Mulatto and indigenous dances
became known as “Son Jarocho”. Later on, Spanish music and dance such
as Flamenco, Seguidillas and Zarabandas influenced Son Jarocho. It
was the coexistence of the indigenous people, Africans and Spanish
that created these dances in the Sotavento region. The musical
ensemble consists of jaranas, harps, requintos, a donkey’s jaw and a
cajón (wooden box)
In 1519, on the Catholic holy
day of La Vera Cruz (The True Cross), Corez disembarked on Mexico’s Gulf Coast,
founding the principal port of New Spain.
The busy port of Veracruz became an entry point for the conquistadors,
and over centuries, for the Afro-Cubans and enslaved Africans. The rich cultural legacy of the Veracruz
people lives in its enchanting music and dance.
The son is a Mexican musical
form, always played for dancing. Son
jarocho is a traditional musical style fro Veracruz which reflects the mezla,
or mix of Indian, Spanish flamenco and African influences. The instruments, the guitarras de son and
jaranas, are forms of the Spanish guitar.
The tarima was invented by African slaves, in place of a traditional
drum. It serves as a wooden platform
played as a percussion instrument by the dancers feet.
Today the dancers
wear antique white crinoline skirts and carry handkerchiefs from the
Andaluisiana and Valenciana of Spain. Their embroideredc camisons are
ancient Huipil and the aprons, big skirts and guayaberas are African.
These dances were Raices’ firstfully integrated region in 1999.
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